Reasonable Suspicion Alcohol and Drug Testing of Students
The Lancaster School Board has enacted policies 452 and 452.1 that allow school administration to require students “to submit to an alcohol and/or drug test if there is reasonable suspicion that the student is using prohibited drugs and/or alcohol”.
What are reasonable suspicions? It may include such things as:
- direct observation of use by school employees
- abnormal or erratic behavior
- physical symptoms such as eye indicators, speech, coordination, etc.
- first-hand information from reliable sources
- presence of drugs or alcohol detectable by the senses
- abnormal pulse rate and/or blood pressure in combination with other indicators
Refusal to take a test under the provisions of this policy will be considered a positive test result and the student shall be suspended for three days and referred to the athletic director and the supervisor of any other school organization that has a code of conduct as appropriate.
PAYMENT FOR TESTING
Should authorized school personnel mandate a drug test the results of which are negative, the district will assume the responsibility for payment for the said test. However, the costs associated with any positive drug test pursuant to the enforcement of this policy will be at the expense of the student's parent/guardian if the student is at least 18 years of age.
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